Children travelling by train alone

Tiddlywinks

aliasojo wrote: »

I remember watching that. I was amazed at the sheer amount of people who did nothing.

I think it's worse for men who feel like they are under suspicion for even looking at a child.

How sad...

ticktack_2

AllyS wrote: »

Coach is not an option for weekend vists and I don't really understand why a coach is any safer? I am guessing because of the driver, but trains have more staff that travel up and down more frequently altho I wouldn't expect them to check on my kids, it is still a responsible presence.

I can't speak for anyone else, but the reason I would have felt my children were safer on a coach is indeed because of the driver, plus the fact that it's one space rather than a series of connected spaces, plus the fact that no one can get on or, more relevantly, off, without the driver's co-operation.

But I agree with another poster that the longer travel time is a minus point.

ticktack_2

AllyS wrote: »

I did think of not telling them I was on the train and watching from a distant and I think I will def do this.

Families have different customs, and I don't want to sound sanctimonious, but to me it would be a big no-no to deceive the children like this, even though it's for their own good. If it was me I'd rather just accompany them on a journey and sit in a different carriage, letting them know where they could find me if they needed me. What would be the advantage of them not knowing you were on the train?

aliasojo

ticktack wrote: »

Families have different customs, and I don't want to sound sanctimonious, but to me it would be a big no-no to deceive the children like this, even though it's for their own good. If it was me I'd rather just accompany them on a journey and sit in a different carriage, letting them know where they could find me if they needed me. What would be the advantage of them not knowing you were on the train?

That would defeat the purpose.

The object is to see how they act and react if they thought they were on their own and responsible for themselves.

If they knew their parent was only a shout away, it provides a psychological security blanket and they would act/react knowing this, therefore not a true account.

Imo.

ticktack_2

aliasojo wrote: »

That would defeat the purpose.

The object is to see how they act and react if they thought they were on their own and responsible for themselves.

If they knew their parent was only a shout away, it provides a psychological security blanket and they would act/react knowing this, therefore not a true account.

Imo.

Children differ, but from the OP's description these two sound like sensible children.

If there was any kind of problem, presumably they'd either be able to deal with it, or they'd go to her for assistance. That's what the OP wants to discover isn't it -- to what extent they can cope with any problems that might arise. If it's about finding out whether they'll misbehave as soon as they're on their own, then they're definitely too young to travel alone.

dogcat_2

My daughter is a very sensible 14 nearly 15 year old...we live in Devon and we regularly travel to Essex/London. I would never let my daughter travel alone.....but thats my choice...I'm not saying you shouldn't.

The reason.....there are too many 'weird' people around...especially in London/Large cities....and I come from London....(that says a lot doesn't it)?.....:eek:

Tiddlywinks

AllyS wrote: »

DD is 13, very sensible, but looks small for her age, always been very mature. DS is nearly 10 a bit silly at times, e.g. does not always look when crossing a road, but very intelligent.

ticktack wrote: »

Children differ, but from the OP's description these two sound like sensible children.

If there was any kind of problem, presumably they'd either be able to deal with it, or they'd go to her for assistance. That's what the OP wants to discover isn't it -- to what extent they can cope with any problems that might arise. If it's about finding out whether they'll misbehave as soon as they're on their own, then they're definitely too young to travel alone.

Not really...

A 13yo travelling with a brother that can be 'a bit silly at times' with no adult supervision on a long journey unsupervised - on a train with 8 - 12 carriages and only one guard. Who would she ask for help if the situation became unmanageable?

Commuters can be irritable on a Friday evening at the best of times without the help of a young boy 'being silly'. I don't think it's fair to put the 13 yo in the position of caring for her brother on such a long trip at the busiest time of the week.

ticktack_2

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Not really...

A 13yo travelling with a brother that can be 'a bit silly at times' with no adult supervision on a long journey unsupervised - on a train with 8 - 12 carriages and only one guard. Who would she ask for help if the situation became unmanageable?

Her mother, who would be travelling in a separate carriage on this hypothetical trial journey that is under discussion. See previous posts.

Cash-Cow_3

dogcat wrote: »

My daughter is a very sensible 14 nearly 15 year old...we live in Devon and we regularly travel to Essex/London. I would never let my daughter travel alone.....but thats my choice...I'm not saying you shouldn't.

The reason.....there are too many 'weird' people around...especially in London/Large cities....and I come from London....(that says a lot doesn't it)?.....:eek:

So what age would you let her travel then? 16? 18? 25?

ticktack_2

Mad-Frog wrote: »

Daska sorry I cannot work out the multi quote, regarding the guards looking after children (although TOC's don't call them that as they are customer friendly unlike BR ) I was responding to a poster who said that in the good ole days guards looked after children on long journeys,

I'm the poster, but you're misquoting me. I didn't say anything about the "good ole days". I said that at one time you could put a child on a train under the care of the guard. As I also said in the next post or so, I'm not saying that should or could be brought back. It was far from ideal, and if I'd been a little older and had a little more sense myself, I probably would never have done it.

this was not so.

Yes it was. I used to do it. That was in the 60s.

It was the same then as it is now.

No it wasn't. It was a long time ago. Maybe it was before you started working on the railways. But it most definitely did happen.